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Farmington to celebrate Independence Day with fireworks shows July 3, 4

Bolack, Convention and Visitors Bureau prepare for July 3,4 shows

By Greg Yee The Daily Times

Updated:
06/27/2013 09:08:44 PM MDT

Tommy Bolack, owner of B-Square Ranch, shows the six inch firework shells that will be in his July 4th fireworks display on Thursday, June 27, 2013, in Farmington. (Augusta Liddic The Daily Times )

Tommy Bolack, owner of B-Square Ranch, stands next to the mortars he uses to launch fireworks on Thursday, June 27, 2013, in Farmington. (Augusta Liddic The Daily Times )

FARMINGTON — Two local fireworks shows are scheduled to run as planned despite dry conditions.

The Farmington Convention and Visitors Bureau and Tommy Bolack, owner of B-Square Ranch, are planning two shows for July 3 and 4, respectively. They hope the shows will help keep residents safe by encouraging attendance at sanctioned fireworks displays and responsible fireworks use.

Residents can expect a show similar to those of previous years, said Tonya Stinson, Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director, about the city-sponsored show on July 3.

"We're really encouraging people to come out," she said. "It's a really nice way to bring the family and be outside."

Attendees are welcome to come to the Farmington Museum at Gateway Park for a brass band concert and food fair around 5:30 p.m. and stay to watch the fireworks display at 9:25 p.m. on July 3, Stinson said.

Residents may notice some small changes to Tommy Bolack's July 4 show, which will begin around 9:25 p.m. Most notably, it will be longer, about 30-35 minutes, and feature more fireworks than in the past.

Bolack began holding displays around 1986 because of his fondness for fireworks and to encourage safe fireworks use.

"You can get hurt," he said. "People don't understand, you need to treat them with respect. It's more dangerous than dynamite."

Bolack said he hopes that seeing two fireworks shows in two days will steer residents away from using fireworks on their own.

"I've always been a bit of a thump junkie," he said, sorting through the meticulously organized metal oxides, shells, fuses and primers he keeps in his magazine, an enclosure for explosives. "I do a lot of customizing to bring out the colors. I love it out here. I get to see my handiwork. I'm hoping the people enjoy it."

Greg Yee covers government for The Daily Times. He can be reached at 505-564-4606 and gyee@daily-times.com. Follow him @GYeeDT on Twitter.